SURIDIN

Suriname Drug Information

Network

Annual National Report 2002

December 30, 2002

Suriname
This report is a compilation of material gathered from existing documents and reports on drug
abuse, prevention and control in Suriname.
Many organizations dealing with relevant aspects on this matter have contributed to the report,
including the private drug treatment and rehabilitation centers, the Bureau Alcohol en Drugs of
the Psychiatric Center Suriname and the authorities responsible for drug control, of whom the
Customs Office, The Military Police, the Narcotic Squad and the Judicial Department of the
Ministry of Justice of Police.
The report also represents the proceedings of the First Network Meeting held in Paramaribo, on
October 30, 2002, organized by the National Anti-Drug Council Suriname, and supported by the
UNODC.

For further information contact:

Prim Ritoe
President
National Anti-Drug Council Suriname
Gravenstraat 64, Paramaribo
Tel. (597) 462494 Fax (579)477109
ritoepri@sur.paho.org

For further access to information and resources on drug information systems visit the UNODC
Global Assessment Programme on Drug Abuse (GAP) website at www.undcp.org, email
gap@undcp.org, or contact: Demand Reduction Section, UNODC, P.O. Box 500,
A-1400 Vienna, Austria.

This is not an official document of the United Nations.

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any
opinion whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, concerning the legal status of any
country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitations of its frontiers and boundaries. This
document has not been formally edited. It is meant for discussion and is not an official document of the United
Nations. The designations employed and presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion
whatsoever on the part of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime or of the United Nations Secretariat.

2
Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 4

Abbreviations 5

Executive Summary 6

Introduction 8

General overview 8
The Network 10
Overview of drug situation and trends 11

Information on drug consumption 13

Drug Treatment 13
Law Enforcement 13
Public health reports and infectious diseases 14
Survey data 14
Existing data sources 15
Qualitative data 19

Future directions 20

Conclusions and recommendations 22

References 23

Appendices 24

List of participants 25

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Acknowledgements

The National Report is produced by the National Anti-Drug Council Suriname (NAR) as part of
the activities of the Special Service Agreement between the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime (UNODC) and the NAR.
On several occasions, several reports, including the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism, have
recommended to set up a system that will enable the country to collect data, analyze and
disseminate the information for internal and external use.
A national network is needed in order to contribute to the policy, monitoring and evaluation
activities at all levels of drug prevention and control. It is observed that many sources exist in the
country where relevant and specific information related to the source is kept in a certain format.
Because of the lack of a national coordinating authority where all data can be brought together in
one format for analysis, dissemination, and reporting, most of the existing information is not
readily available and is only reported on request. There is indeed a great need for one consistent
and uniform system for data collection, analysis, and reporting of information for internal and
external use.
Much has been done in this regard, like the introduction of the ASICUDA system in the Customs
Department, the introduction of CICDAT and SIDUC as supported by the comprehensive model
of the Inter-American Observatory on Drugs and the regional efforts coordinated by the
CAREC/DAESSP.
In October 2002, the NAR organized the first meeting with most of the active organizations in
drug prevention and control, to discuss the need for a national network and to build support for a
national drug information network in Suriname. This report, introducing the SURIDIN
(Suriname Drug Information Network) in its initial phase is the result of the efforts of all the
parties involved at the meeting.
The NAR would like to thank the UNODC, the OAS, the CAREC/DAESSP and the
organizations and institutions in charge of the activities in drug prevention and drug control in
Suriname for their participation and contribution to the first network meeting and their
commitment to further participate in activities towards the setting up and improvement of
SURIDIN.

4
Abbreviations

ARQ Annual Report Questionnaire

BAD Bureau Alcohol and Drugs
CARIDIN Caribbean Drug Information Network
CAREC Caribbean Epidemiology Centre
CARIFORUM Caribbean Forum (Group of 15 independent Caribbean States)
CICAD Inter-American Drug Control Commission
CICDAT Uniform Statistical System on Control of Supply Data
DAESSP Drug Abuse Epidemiological and Surveillance System Project
FACTF Financial Action Task Force
GAP Global Assessment Programme
HONLEA Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies
IDEC International Drug Enforcement Conference
NAR National Anti-drug Council Suriname
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
OAS Organization of American States
SIDUC Inter-American System of Uniform Drug-Use Data
SURIDIN Suriname Drug Information Network
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

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Executive summary

The first meeting in preparation of the network, held in October 2002 in Paramaribo, was very
important, both for the National Anti-Drug Council as well as for the organizations active in drug
prevention and control. It proved to be a unique setting to learn about each other and to discuss
about the common need for related information for their work.

The participating organizations agreed that there was a long perceived need to come together and
exchange experiences and information, in order to pool resources and efforts. It was observed
that the institutions have limited access to information and capacity to gather and disseminate. It
turned out that a lot of data is already being collected. This ranges from the number of arrests to
the type of clothing that the perpetrator was wearing, trafficking routes and methods and
demographic data. Nevertheless, there is no communication between the agencies. There is also a
great need within the institutions for resources, training and capacity building.

There is a variety of data that is already being gathered by all institutions, for their own purposes,
for their own system and in their own formats. The obstacles faced are:
- There is no coordination of activities, no resources to set up the coordination, no
uniformity in data collection and lack of trained personnel and of equipment.
- There is no inventory or national overview of what data is needed.
- There is no structural reporting of core data to a central analysis and disseminating
authority. Reporting is done on a request basis only.
- The dissemination of available data needs to be improved. To improve this data there is a
great need for uniformity of data collection, equipment, training, and exchange methods
of data between the agencies.

The establishment of a national and regional information system would assist with capacity
building at local level to collect data that can guide demand and supply reduction activities, but
also to improve national, regional and global reporting on drug trends.
The organizations support the intention to work together towards a national drug information
network for Suriname, called the SURIDIN (Suriname Drug Information Network). Follow up
meetings in this setting are needed to agree on the needed data, the reporting format and the
reporting frequency. These organizations will together set up and improve the SURIDIN.

The participants agreed that the NAR should be in charge as the coordinating authority in this
effort: to receive the data from the several sources and to analyze these and put together in
approved formats, to be reported on a regular basis. External support will be needed to assist
with the setting up of this body.

The participating agencies should develop and agree a standard form for data collection, train the
field workers, especially in data collection, periodically reporting to the NAR and exchange and
compare the recorded data.

6
It was recommended to:
- Gather the data from the diverse sources in one format, analyze it and disseminate the
data to policy makers, program planners, practitioners, researchers, and the public, so that
it is useful in all their needs.
- Develop an integrated system for the collection, exchange and comparison of data.
- Implement training for personnel involved in drug abuse prevention

The short term planning includes:

- Follow-up meeting with all parties involved to agree on the needed data, the available
data, the reporting format and the reporting frequency.
- Appoint/establish a central body to be put in charge of central data gathering, analysis,
and dissemination.
- Set up formal communication links with the organizations involved.
- Inventory of training needs in drug prevention and drug control organizations
- Train relevant partners including teachers and other prevention and drug control workers
in data collection, analysis and reporting
- Exchange of information between public and private prevention organizations
- Perform Prevalence studies in high-risk groups, and other studies such as within the
SIDUC system.

7
Introduction

General Overview

The Republic of Suriname covers 163,820 km2 along South America’s northeast coast. It borders
French Guyana in the east, Guyana in the west, and Brazil in the south. The country has a
tropical climate, with an annual average temperature of 28° C.
Suriname is governed as a parliamentary democracy, in which legislative power rests with the
National Assembly’s 51 elected members.

The country is divided into 10 administrative districts that are subdivided into 62 regions.
GDP growth rates dropped from 7% in 1995 to 2% in 1998. In 2000, it was estimated that
between 50% and 75% of the population lived below the poverty line.
The ethnic composition of Suriname’s population is 35% Creole, 35% East Indian, 16%
Indonesian, 8% Maroon, 3% Amerindian, 2% Chinese and 1% European, Lebanese and others.
Suriname’s economy continues to depend on the bauxite, timber, and rice sector.

The Government of Suriname has ratified the illegal drug treaties of the United Nations (1961,
1971 and 1988) by which the Government has committed itself to the forbidding and making
punishable of the use of a great deal of drugs for non-medical purposes, such as the possession
and use of marijuana, cocaine and heroine.
With the assistance of the UNODC, a new legislation on illegal drugs was drafted and approved
by the National Assembly, in 1998. Adaptation and completion of the old legislation from 1955
has, for the greater part, to do with the fight against the (international) trade and trafficking.

The national policy of the Government of Suriname with regard to drug control is contained in
the Strategic Drug Master Plan of the Republic of Suriname (July 1997), which has been updated
and modified for the policy period 2000-2005.
This document deals with the supply reduction (especially the legislation and tracking down and
the prosecution in relation to the trade and trafficking of drugs) as well as demand reduction
(drug prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation). Also, attention is being paid to the national
policy structure and the international cooperation.

With the policy document, the government aims at an integrated and coherent policy that serves
as starting point and source for all the sectors relevant to drugs. Following four policy objectives
are formulated in the document:

• To take measures to visibly decrease the supply of drugs into Suriname and the trafficking
of drugs through Suriname.
• To take measures to reduce the demand for drugs effectively.
• To take measures to fight the side effects of the drug problem.
• To take organizational and infra-structural measures to strengthen the institutions in charge
with dealing with the drug problem.

These policy objectives can only be reached with the support of an underlying information
network. As mentioned before, this network would be the primary source of data to be analyzed

8
and disseminated for policy and monitoring purposes and to measure the changes in drug
demand and supply reduction.

Suriname has ratified all relevant anti-drug agreements and conventions, and has entered into a
bilateral formal cooperation with Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela and Columbia to fight the international
drug problem. In addition, Suriname maintains with various countries informal contacts on police
matters. The agreement on legal assistance with the Netherlands is already approved and being
implemented.
To strengthen the drug control apparatus in Suriname, a letter of agreement was signed with the
United States of America. Suriname has adopted the recommendations of IDEC, HONLEA,
CICAD, UNODC and FACTF for regional drug control.

The fight against drugs is primarily the task of the Narcotics Squad of the Suriname Police Corps,
Customs, and the Military Police Corps. We cannot speak of a healthy co-operation, and
harmonization of each other's activities does not take place. Incidental cooperation and
collaboration, however, does take place in concrete cases which have a penal character, and which
have to be investigated under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor.
Within the "Suri-Storm" operation, it is indicated that under the central supervision of the Attorney
General it is possible to create a good cooperation between the several services in charge with the
detection and prosecution of the criminal acts.

The preventive and rehabilitation policy is up to now insufficiently formulated. Insofar as we can
speak of formulation of this policy, this has been done by institutions, which occupy themselves
with this matter, without this policy being sanctioned by the Government or the Ministry of Health.
There are also several organizations, which occupy themselves with prevention, although their
activities are insufficiently harmonized, while many of these organizations lack the expertise and
even the means to execute a sound preventive and/or rehabilitation program.

Most stakeholders in governmental agencies and NGOs have been working in the field of drug
prevention for many years and have, therefore, acquired a lot of experience, professionalism, and
knowledge. Especially compared to many other Caribbean countries, the involvement of
professionals in drug demand reduction in Suriname is characterized by continuity. This is
important with respect to the implementation and the sustainability of the project.

NGOs, especially “foundations” (“stichtingen”), are flourishing in Suriname. In some cases,

these NGOs are closely linked to governmental agencies. The amount of NGOs working in the
drug prevention field is probably typically for the Surinamese situation. This should be judged
positively, since in many cases NGOs are far better equipped to implement activities in the area
of drug prevention than governmental organizations. Having said that, many stakeholders
requires not only good working relationships between the government and the NGOs, but a good
co-operation and co-ordination between all parties involved as well

Hardly any research has been done on the nature and extent of drug use in Suriname. More
reliable information is desperately needed for the development of effective interventions. If
policy relevant information is lacking, interventions can only focus on non-using groups (mostly
school students) and not on specific risk groups or current drug users.

9
The main restraint for the implementation of primary prevention activities is financial resources.
The Bureau Alcohol and Drugs (BAD) has experience in drug education in schools and
community based prevention. Apparently, these interventions were quite successful, but it is,
however, clear that these interventions were not implemented on a scale that is necessary to have
an impact on drug use among school students and in communities.

Currently there are 6, mostly faith based NGOs with in-patient facilities or are about to start their
activities. It is estimated that there will be room for 160 clients in treatment facilities shortly.
Given the number of people living in Suriname and compared to other Caribbean countries, 160
beds seem to be a substantial amount.

The increase in the number of facilities might indicate that there was indeed a need for more
treatment. However, given the absence of a system to assess the demand for treatment, it is
impossible to judge whether or not there is currently a need for another treatment facility,
managed for the Government by the BAD.

Given the increase of the number of treatment providers, the quality of treatment should be
subject of attention. The impression is that improvements are possible. The treatment centers
have an urgent need for training, equipment, and accommodation.

Interventions focusing on tertiary prevention are lacking.

The Network

The Caribbean Drug Information Network (CARIDIN) extends to the 15 CARIFORUM

countries and the Dutch and British Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories. Information
on both licit and illicit substances is collected from various sources as outlined below. Each
island, through its National Drug Councils establishes a National Drug Information Network
(NDIN), which collects information that feeds into CARIDIN. Both the regional and national
network seeks to collect and disseminate information so as to inform policy makers and the
general public. The network, which is made up of all institutions that collect information on
substances, will play a major role in the demand and supply reduction efforts of the Caribbean.

SURIDIN will be an integrated part of the regional network CARIDIN. It will act as the national
focal point for the CARIDIN to ensure the continuity of activities such as data collection,
represent the country in regional technical meetings, prepare, and disseminate national reports.
The general purpose of the network is to contribute to the elimination or reduction of drug abuse
and its health and social consequences, and recognize that effective strategies need to be built on
a sound evidence base. The role of the network is to provide this information and engage in a
dialogue with policy makers on its implications for programming.

The members for the network include researchers as well as representatives of agencies that
work with drug abusers, such as public health, private and other medical institutions, law
enforcement agencies, drug abuse treatment programs.

10
In most cases, network members are those who have access to information or know where such
information is available. They meet once or twice a year, and bring their information to the
meeting to be reviewed, compared and discussed by the other members of the agencies.

As discussed earlier, there will be one focal point for data collection for the country as a whole
and that will also be responsible for preparing a national report and presenting this in the regional
forum. Policy makers and others who have little time to review information can easily use
standardization of reporting and reports. With standardization, comparisons can be made across
data sets and across time.
The short-term actions mentioned above will contribute to timely actions in order to start up and
improve SURIDIN.

Overview of drug situation and trends

Drug abuse

Marijuana, according to a timetable, is the oldest and most used drug in Suriname. It is used
throughout all layers of the population, and lies in fact and financially within the reach of the users.
Recently, according to police reports, an increase was seen in the presence and use of marijuana in
Paramaribo. In the interior of Suriname, marijuana is still grown unhampered on a large scale. This
marijuana is trafficked by the inhabitants of the interior in Paramaribo, where the trafficking takes
place in small as well as large quantities. In numerous public places, on street corners and in houses,
user quantities are sold. Especially youths are guilty of such use.

In the eighties, a trend became apparent of a visible presence of cocaine in Surinamese society,
which was evident from the seizure of small quantities of cocaine from drug suspects. Drug-related
crime also came to the attention of the police.
It soon appeared that Surinamese territory was used for the import and transit of cocaine. Foreign
drug organizations had expanded their drug network to Suriname aided by Surinamese partners. The
cocaine was supplied from Columbia and Bolivia either directly and/or through Brazil to Suriname
by means of Brazilian schooners and aircrafts, which landed in the interior of Suriname. The earlier
mentioned favorable circumstances for the foreign drug organizations in Suriname, the possibilities
of protection, the inadequate control of the Surinamese waters and the interior, and the strategic
position of Suriname on the South American continent, with direct connections to Europe by air and
by sea, more in particular with the Netherlands, made Suriname a drug transit state by excellence.
Suriname formed together with other Caribbean countries an important link between the drug
producing and the drug-consuming countries.

Of course, the effects of this transit trade have left their mark. As the cocaine trade is also paid by
cocaine, Suriname is also confronted with Surinamese drug organizations. The presence of cocaine
in Suriname led to a lower threshold for the use of cocaine in Suriname, the roughening of
criminality, and the increase of drug-related crime.
Suriname could not respond adequately to this new drug problem, because its powers were not
sufficient to deal with this problem, and moreover, a national anti-drug policy that had to address

11
the drug policy was lacking. Suriname itself did not have a view of the actual size of the drug
problem in Suriname, and often had to be "informed" by the foreign press.

The transport or transit of cocaine via Suriname takes mainly place to Europe, i.e. the Netherlands.
As a result of the direct connections which exist between the international airports of Suriname and
the Netherlands, and the sea connections between Paramaribo and other sea ports in the Netherlands
and Europe, the cocaine can be easily shipped between tons of traditional Surinamese cargo, which
is loaded in almost every aircraft and or vessel destined for the Netherlands.
At this moment, a well functioning control system is lacking at the airport. There are no modern
detectors to detect the drugs in the freight.
Considering the fact that with these transports already large quantities of drugs were seized in
Suriname and abroad, the drug organizations are now looking for other drug routes and transporta-
tion methods. The routes Paramaribo - French Guyana - Paris - the Netherlands, or Paramaribo -
Antilles - the Netherlands, or Paramaribo - England - the Netherlands etc. are already known.

The transportation methods become increasingly professional, as attempts are made to withdraw the
drugs from the detection possibilities of the law-enforcement authorities.
Due to the abundance of cocaine in Suriname, the use of this drug is now also within the reach of
many who can afford to pay for it. The cocaine variety "crack", which is cheaper and more
dangerous, has also been introduced in Surinamese society, especially on the user market.

The fight against drugs is presently the task of the Narcotics Squad of the Suriname Police Corps,
Customs, and the Military Police Corps. We cannot speak of a healthy co-operation, and
harmonization of each other's activities does not take place. Incidental cooperation and
collaboration, however, does take place in concrete cases which have a penal character, and which
have to be investigated under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor.

The Narcotics Squad has so far not succeeded in fighting the actual drug organizations.
The drug control culture is influenced by fear and insecurity of the law enforcement officers, while
threats with physical and psychological violence from crime organizations are regularly addressed
to the law enforcement officers.
In addition, serious attempts are made by members of the crime organizations to infiltrate in
important and sensitive services of the police, while on the other hand attempts are made to affect
the integrity of law enforcement officers and of law enforcement in general, by means of subtle
bribing techniques and accusations.

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Information on drug consumption

Drug Treatment

The drug treatment facilities have their own program and independent data record and collection
systems. Drug users can go for ambulant treatment to the government owned psychiatric center
and non-governmental (free of charge), faith based and private owned in-patient treatment
centers (symbolic or fixed monetary contribution).
The treatment methods involve education, counseling and information, bring back discipline in
the daily life, and social education. The programs focus on what drugs their clients are using and
how these drugs are used. Those seeking treatment enter the facility upon request of their family,
or law enforcement (by court order), prison evangelization, media or self-motivated
Suriname has one public ambulatory program and six private regional centers for treatment and
rehabilitation, social reintegration and aftercare. There is only preliminary data available on
people treated or seeking treatment (see table 1 and 2). No study has been conducted to evaluate
the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation programs.
In 2001, according to the data provided by the Bureau of Alcohol and drugs, the average age of
first use of alcohol was 12 year for males; for tobacco it was 10 year for males and 12 year for
females; for marijuana it was 12 year for both, and for cocaine it was 12 year for males. There
are no injecting drug users and there is no data to identify the morbidity or mortality associated
with drug abuse.
The treatment facilities saw the advantage of their participation in the network because this will
bring them to a better understanding of how data regarding drug use is recorded and collected. It
can also help them access additional resources to understand the drug situation in their
community.

Law Enforcement

Suriname has not developed or applied an integrated system for the collection, analysis, and
maintenance of drug-related statistics and other information. The CICDAT that was introduced
some years ago has not been adapted to the changed needs and does currently not respond to the
needs.
The Government gathers and reports drug related statistics from periodic reports requested from
relevant authorities to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Annual Report Questionnaire.
Different entities are responsible for the exchange of internal operational information and for
collaboration with similar regulatory agencies in other countries. In the year 2000, Suriname
reported 4 drug seizures totaling 61,500 tablets of ecstasy. There were no reports on seizures of
ecstasy in 2001-2002.

13
Operational information exchange and collaboration among the national authorities responsible
for controlling illicit drug trafficking are facilitated through interagency committees or joint
forces/operations. On April 4, 2002 the Attorney General was appointed in charge of the
National Coordination Commission of Suriname (NCCS) with representatives from the Police
Corps, the Military Police, the Marine and the Customs Department. The NCCS functions as the
unit to receive, analyze and disseminate information regarding movement of drugs through
waterways and the air. This unit is also part of the regional network for the countries in the
Caribbean.
No information is available regarding the number of persons arrested, tried or convicted for illicit
trafficking of firearms and ammunition. Suriname has approved in August 2002 specific
legislation for the control of money laundering in accordance with international conventions.

Public Health Reports of Infectious Diseases

In Suriname, the primary method of spreading HIV is through heterosexual contact. When we
look at the correlation HIV/Drug Abuse, there are distinctive patterns that surface. According to
these patterns, we can distinguish between direct and indirect transmission of HIV as a result of
Drug Abuse. Direct transmission entails sharing of needles, thus blood products. Indirect
transmission is a result of hallucination, the subconscious state that one gets into, thus one cannot
account for his/her actions. We notice that the latter generally occurs at raves. It is believed that
there is a reciprocal relationship between drug use and (unsafe) sex practices.
As regards direct transmission, it is save to say that in Suriname the use of needles for blood
exams etc. at e.g. the Red Cross and in hospitals is quite save. There are in fact no cases reported
of people getting infected by HIV through intravenous tapping of blood at the Red Cross.
Suriname has no reports of injecting drug users.
There are several factors displayed among persons that are high-risk groups for HIV and Drugs
Abuse in Suriname. Some of these are:
• In both cases, the primary target group is adolescent boys, between the ages of 15 to 24.
• Both can be the result of socio-economic factors.
• Both are the result of deviant behavior and thus both require attitude change.
• In both cases, the individual’s choice is important.
It may be of essence to know that change of risk factors also includes education and monitoring
of peer groups. In order to decrease the incidence of HIV and Drugs Abuse, we need to focus on
a change of behavior and guard against creating resistance to prevention information.

Survey data

There is no standard data collection and reporting system.

The Bureau Alcohol and Drugs, the only government institution, is in charge of ambulatory
services to addicted persons and their families. The data collected and available is minimal.
There is no uniformity in data collection between the private organizations and there is no
exchange of data between the organizations.

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In 2000, Suriname conducted the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, which revealed that 20% of
students currently smoke some form of tobacco; 16% currently smoke cigarettes; 8% currently
use some other form of tobacco.

In 2002 a study was done under secondary school students, as developed and supported by the
CAREC and OAS/CICAD. Preliminary results show that about 37% of all students started using
drugs out of curiosity, while 27% did it because of personal problems. It also turns out that 28%
of the 2,507 surveyed students mention among other things better school results as a reason for
using drugs. (It would be of great interest to know if this motive is linked to a particular drug)
Only 9% start using drugs because of tough behavior. The final report is expected to be received
soon.

Existing data sources

There is no centralized system for data gathering with regard to drug prevention and control. The
institutions involved do have some information, which is available in a scattered and non-
uniform format. Exchange of information is rarely practiced. However, there is some data
available at the level of the individual organizations that can be requested and received. With
some effort, and the cooperation of these organizations, it will be possible to work together with
these organizations towards uniform data formats to be reported on a structural basis.

The NAR receives information from the organizations (Judicial Department, Customs
Department, Narcotic Squad, BAD, Private treatment facilities), only when requested, for
specific reports or purposes. The information is not in a standard format as requested, making it
almost impossible to make comparisons.

Treatment data
As mentioned before, there is no structural collection of data from the several organizations
active in drug prevention and treatment. A start has been made with the introduction of simple
and uniform registration forms for these organizations to be registered with the Bureau of
Alcohol and Drugs.
As preliminary data shows, the average length of stay in the private drug treatment facilities is
between 18 and 24 months. One of the private centers reports the following information on its
clients:
Table 1: Clients admitted for treatment in “Victory Outreach” 2001 and 2002
Drug use 2001 2002 In treatment Finished treatment
M F M F 2001 2002

Heroin 7 1 5 1 2 1
Cocaine 63 6 36 7 12 10
Heroin + Cocaine 5 0 3 0 2 1
Alcohol 2 0 1 0 0 0
Total 77 7 45 8 16 12

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The only government facility, the Bureau Alcohol and Drugs, provides ambulatory treatment and
counseling services for alcohol and drug abuse. Clinical and medical treatment of clients is
provided by the Psychiatric Center Suriname.
Following is an overview of the clients seen in 2001.

Table 2: Clients visited the BAD in 2001, by age group and gender, for type of drug.
Alcohol Tobacco Marijuana Cocaine Combination Glue Gambling
Age group M F M F M F M F M F M F M F
12 1
13 - 15 1
16 - 20 3 1
21 - 25 1 2 1
26 - 30 2
31 - 40 5 3 1 4
41 - 50 8 1 2 1 1
51 - 60 1
60 plus 1
Total 14 0 1 0 6 1 7 1 7 0 0 1 1 1

Total M F
36 4

Arrest and Seizure data

The following data is available with regard to the number of seizures by law enforcement
agencies and quantities of drug seized, in the period 2000-2002.

Table 3: Number of drug seizures from various law enforcement agencies by drug type

Number of cases concerning 2000* 2001**

Cocaine 157 86
Marijuana 64 57
Ecstasy 4 0
Hashish 3 3
Heroin 2 0

Source: Judicial Department, Police Corps Suriname

* From April – December 2000
** From January – September 2001

Table 3 shows a decrease in the number of cases related to drug trafficking, as compared
between April 2000 and October 2001. It can be concluded that the number of cases concerned

16
with Marijuana also shows a decrease. An acceptable explanation for this trend may be that
because of depletion of the financial resources needed for equipment for counter activities
(infrastructure, materials, human resources) these activities are postponed or not implemented.
Other reasons might be the shift of concentration from Marijuana to Cocaine (Marijuana is being
brought out of the taboo situation) and probably the de-motivation with the law enforcement
officers in drug offences.

Looking at the amounts of drugs seized, however, one can conclude that these amounts are larger
per seizure.

Table 4: Quantity of drugs seized 2000 - 2001

Amounts seized 2000 * 2001 ** Total

Cocaine (kilogram) 146.3 1,360 1,506.3
Marijuana (kilogram) 269.7 18.7 288.4
Ecstasy (tablets) 61,500 0 61,500
Hashish (gram) 5 1 6
Heroin (gram) 4 209 213

* From April – December 2000

** From January – September 2001
Source: Judicial Department, Police Corps Suriname

Looking into detail, there are 3 big seizures: April 2000: 221 kg of Marijuana
March 2001: 1,147 kg of Cocaine
June 2001: 78 kg of Cocaine

When we leave these three cases out of consideration, we see that cocaine remains the most
important drug being seized. The quantities show an increasing trend in the 2nd and 3 rd quarter of
2001. Thus, we see a decrease in number of arrests (see table 6), but an increase in the total
amounts seized. This leads us to a possible conclusion that traffickers are using other methods
for trafficking than the “traditional” swallowing of drug “sausages”. The traditional swallowing
is seen as less productive than other methods, where larger quantities can be moved for less
expenses and risks. The quantities of Marijuana seized are of neglectable trend.

Looking at the method of trafficking, we see that swallowing is the most popular way to traffic
cocaine in 2000. But this method is less popular in 2001, showing a decreasing trend. This can be
explained by the decrease of popularity for swallowing drug “sausages”, being a primitive way
to move small quantities of cocaine. Traffickers are looking at more efficient methods, to move
larger quantities (table 5).
The use of baggage/bags and clothing as hiding place remains stable.

17
Table 5: Method s of drug trafficking

Method April – Dec. 2000 Jan – Sept. 2001 Total

Swallowed 92 44 136
Bag/baggage 45 46 91
Clothing 53 51 104
Body Pack 6 6
House ?? 5 5
Swallowed + Bag 3 3
Parcel 2 2
Aircraft 1 1

Source: Judicial Department, Police Corps Suriname

It is observed that some traffickers are paid in kind for their services. These quantities are
brought on the streets, leading to a sharp decline of the street prices for drugs. One single dose of
crack can be bought on the streets for under one US$. There is no information available on the
purity of the drugs. The number of persons arrested and/or charged for illicit drug trafficking or
illicit drug possession has decreased, as the following tables indicate:

Table 6: Persons arrested for illicit drug trafficking and possession

Offence 2000 2001 2002

Illicit drug trafficking
Number of persons arrested 215 90 22
Number of persons charged 265 161 12
Illicit drug possession 560 359 70
Number of persons arrested

There is no information available, regarding the number of persons convicted for drug
trafficking, charged or convicted for illicit drug possessions, or illicit drug possessions for
personal use.

Prison system
Suriname has 3 detention centers in total. These are mixed and all inclusive from remand to
maximum security. The total capacity is 748 males, 40 females and 50 juveniles.
The current occupancy is 734 males, 39 females and 47 juveniles. No data is available on drug-
related offenses at the prison.
Every police office has lock up facilities for arrested persons. There are 5 major police cells in
several locations in Paramaribo. These cells are intended to lock up arrestees for a maximum
period of 42 days. However, in times of lack of space in one of the three prisons, these cells are
also used as prison cells. The occupancy rate for the prisons is normal, but the police cells are
tremendously overcrowded. The total maximum capacity for these prison cells is 395 persons.
The actual capacity is 722 persons of which 219 persons are sentenced. As of June 2001, 161
persons connected to drugs offences, were held in the police cells.

18
Qualitative data

Key informant surveys

There are reports that drug dealers often recruit children for trafficking activities. It is also
reported that children are administered drugs (by their parents or caretakers) and left at public
entertainment places where these kids are involved in sexual activities. Formal reports are not
available, but can be obtained by the Juvenile Crime Department of the Police. Since this is a
highly sensitive issue, it is almost impossible to obtain any detailed information. This department
will be involved in a later stage in the SURIDIN activities.

One other recent symptom is the “sex for drugs” business where addicted persons engage in
sexual encounters to fulfill their need for drugs. Others report the need for drugs in order to be
able to engage in commercial sex, in order to survive the hardships of live.

Focus Groups

There are no official reports on focus assessments dealing with the issue of drugs. It is known
however, that community workers do have some information on drug abuse in their
communities. Community workers have been trained in dealing with drug addicted members in
the community. There is no structural collaboration with these community workers.

School surveys would only be mentioned under the heading surveys, as they do not belong to the
methodological category of in depth interviews.
The Institute for Social Scientific Study, a department of the University of Suriname, has
finished the preliminary analysis of the Drug use Survey under Secondary School Students, as
developed and supported by the DAESSP/OAS. The final report is expected to be received soon.

Following is a brief overview of the results of the survey:

About 37% of all students started using drugs out of curiosity, while 27% did it because of
personal problems. It also turns out that 28% of the 2,507 surveyed students mention, among
other things, better school results as a reason for using drugs. Only 9% start using drugs because
of tough behavior.
The survey is part of a larger regional research program among students in the 13 - 17 year age
group and was done in 115 secondary schools in Suriname.

Ethnographic studies

There is no information available on this topic, except for the results out of the Drug use Survey
under Secondary School Students. The final report is being awaited.

19
Future directions

Priority areas for future development are identified and should be followed-up for further
improvement of the network. The NAR, in the absence of an officially appointed responsible
body, will be in charge of further guidance. Following fields and activities can be identified:

Overall development of SURIDIN

Short term
• Follow-up on preliminary meetings to concretize network.
• Involve additional stakeholders identified.
• Complete basis data set about these organizations.
• Formally appoint SURIDIN network members.
• Organize national conference with OID/OAS, UNODC, CARIDIN/DAESSP to streamline
national efforts towards one SURIDIN.
Mid term
• Inventory of available data per organization.
• Inventory of needed information per organization and per reporting level.
• Develop reporting forms for organizations.
Long term
• Develop system for data collection, analysis and dissemination
• Feedback to reporting organizations and other organizations needing information.
• Maintain communication between the network agencies.
• Coordination between information sources in the country
• Provision of necessary material and information ahead of time
• Provision of equipment and technology
• Secure Funding
• Set up and maintain communication between the agency and the government

Drug demand reduction

Short term
• Formal registration of all drug treatment and rehabilitation centers
• Set up data base of these organizations
• Set up formal communication links with these organizations.
Mid term
• Receive minimal data set on periodic basis from these organizations
• Feedback to these organizations in order to increase and improve data reporting.
Long term
• Institutional strengthening of the organizations, including support with equipment and
training in order to facilitate their ability to gather and report data.
• Implement a national system of drug abuse prevention programs that target key populations
such as youth outside the school system, street children, and working children.
• Compile a drug prevention program for the community and education and the risk groups.
• Conduct research on the use of drugs in specific age groups and focus groups.
• Advice the community on matters of drug use

20
Drug control
Short term
• Inventory of drug control organizations and set up basic information set on these
organizations
• Inventory of available data at these organizations
• Inventory of needed data by these organizations and external organizations
Medium term
• Develop a system to compile information regarding the number of persons convicted for
illicit drug trafficking, charged or convicted for illicit drug possession.
• Number of drug users in contact with police
• Number of police arrests and seizures
Long term
• Maintain formal and periodic reporting system for drug control information set.

Training and education

Short term
• Inventory of training needs in drug prevention and drug control organizations.
Mid term
• Inventory of available training possibilities on national and regional level
Long term
• Training of drug control personnel, Narco-Intelligence Unit and the Task Force
• Training of personnel involved in drug abuse prevention

Data and research

Short term
• Inventory of needed data (see above)
• Inventory of surveys needed
Mid term
• Surveys to gather data on
a. Treatment data: Number of admissions, type of drug used, frequency and quantity
by age and gender.
b. Number of admissions to the psychiatric hospital with drug related psychiatric
disorders by drug type, age and gender
c. Number of police arrests and seizures related to drugs, drug prices and purity by
age and gender
d. Number of drug users in contact with treatment services (including pattern of drug
use by age and gender
e. Number of inmates admitted to the prison with a their primary problem related to
drug use
Long term
Further consolidate the establishment of a drug information network to support an integrated
Drug Information System.
Ensure regular network meetings and the steering committee to oversee the development of the
network and to undertake the administration of the network, coordination of data collection, data
analysis and data dissemination.

21
Conclusions and recommendations

Conclusions
Drug information systems provide a multi-disciplinary platform for the sharing and discussion of
drug consumption data and greatly enhance the capacity to develop data collection and the
accurate interpretation of trends. It also provides a bridge to guide policy and the implementation
of demand reduction activities.
Suriname has reflected progress in the area of demand reduction and the organization of
significant treatment coverage.
The increase in transit and the presence of drugs in the country constitute the basis for the need
to develop and strengthen the communication between all agencies working in this area.

Recommendations
1. Develop and apply an integrated system for the collection, analysis, and maintenance of
statistics and documents.
2. Implement specialized training for personnel involved in drug abuse prevention.
3. Conduct research on the use of drugs in the general population. Special attention to be
paid at new trends in drug use and drug trafficking, especially the use of XTC pills and
glue sniffing.
4. Evaluate treatment, rehabilitation and prevention programs.
5. Develop a system to compile information regarding the number of persons convicted for
illicit drug trafficking, charged or convicted for illicit drug possessions.

22
References

1. Assessment of illegal drug use and setting up of Drug Demand Reduction in Suriname
Report prepared by Estudis Consultancy and the Government of Suriname
Paramaribo, July 1995

2. Strategic Drug Master Plan

Framework for the fight against drugs in Suriname for the short, mid and long term,
1997 -2002
Paramaribo, July 1997

3. Drug Control: A matter of concern to all of us.

Report of the Workshop with key stakeholders.
Paramaribo, 22 – 23 October 1998

4. Drug Demand Reduction Programme in Suriname

Final Report
Landell Mills Ltd, U.K.
Paramaribo, November 1999

5. Report of Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism 2001-2002

6. Report on Displacement
Drug trafficking: the Suriname experience
Displacement Survey Commission
Suriname, October 2001

7. Report Network Meeting, October 2002

8. Manual: Global Assessment Programme on Drug Abuse

23
Appendices

1. Report On Displacement
Drug Trafficking: The Suriname Experience
Displacement Survey Commission
Suriname, October 2001

2. Strategic Drug Master Plan

Framework for the fight against drugs in Suriname for the short, mid and long term, 1997
-2002
Paramaribo, July 1997

3. Information Network Meeting - Suriname

Paramaribo
Stichting De Mantel
October 30, 2002

24
List of participants

Name Institutions E-mail Phone

Mr Alfaisie R. Customs Department 404682
Mr Kartodikromo S. Military Police 477642
Mr Doemoeng Military Police 472221
Ms.Blinker D. De Stem 440669
Ms. Murli D. Registrar’s office 494362
Ms. Hart J. Public health service 400822
Mr. Moespar W. Bureau Alcohol & Drug 411011
Ms. Isaak F. Min. of Education 474597
Ms. Martodikromo E Bureau Alcohol & Drug bad@sr.net 411011
Ms. Linger M. Social Science Research imwo@ sr.net 462003
Ms. Moe Soe Let ,, ,,, ,,, ,, ,,, ,,, 462003
Ms. Wiebers E. Victory Outreach 531040
Mr. Breinburg Penitentiary inst. 433918
Mr. Ritfeld Public health service 400904
Mr. Ritoe P. NAR narsur@sr.net 471676
Mr. Badjnath Panday Public Prosecutor ipoffsur@sr.net 479589
Mr. Amoksi .K Narcotics 404055
Mr. Roseval Nat. Aids Program wroseval@yahoo.com 427091
Mr. Rambali K. NAR 472923
Ms Jensen J. NAR 476536

25